Diabetes & endocrinology

We support the whole patient

Our whole-patient approach to treating diabetes helps you improve your quality of life and avoid complications. At Advocate Health Care, you’ll receive a personalized care plan that combines easy-to-follow guidance about nutrition and controlling blood sugar levels with the right level of exercise for your specific needs and lifestyle.

A recognized leader in diabetes care

We've been certified by the American Diabetes Association for meeting and maintaining high national standards for quality of care and diabetes education.

If you have diabetes or have a family member with diabetes, we offer:

Our multidisciplinary team: You'll have access to our experts in all these specialties:

• Endocrinology
• Primary care
• Diet and nutrition
• Fitness and weight loss
• Heart and vascular care
• Ophthalmology
• Podiatry
• Wound care
• Support services

Personalized resources: We simplify diabetes care by giving you access to personalized nutrition and exercise coaching and by helping you learn to manage:

• Blood testing
• Healthy eating
• Insulin delivery
• Lifestyle modification and stress management
• Foot and skin care
• Medications
• Physical activity
• Concerns about pregnancy

Innovative research: Through the combined efforts of our Advocate Physician Partners, we’re conducting vital diabetes research and helping establish the best methods to manage the condition. Recent results show our Advocate Physician Partners performed above the national average on eight of nine measures in diabetes treatment.

What to expect

At your first visit, your Advocate diabetes specialists will assess your current health and help you develop an individual program tailored to your needs. Diabetes education may be provided over several sessions and can include follow-up appointments (conducted in person or by telephone) to track your progress and answer any questions.

Athletes with diabetes

Anyone can be affected by diabetes, even athletes. Despite being active – a recommendation for preventing Type 2 diabetes for those with risk factors – athletes can still develop the condition.

Athletes with diabetes may face additional challenges, including monitoring their diet and physical activity more closely to avoid hypoglycemia episodes (low blood sugar).

Athletes with Type 1 and 2 diabetes

Living with Type 1 diabetes can be challenging for anyone. Type 1 develops early in life due to genes or environmental factors and causes the body to stop producing insulin. If you have Type 1 diabetes, you’ll need to take insulin every day and monitor your blood sugar levels. For highly active professional athletes, diabetes management can be harder to handle.

Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes in adults, and the condition normally develops due to poor lifestyle factors – meaning athletes usually have a lower risk, but it is not guaranteed. Type 2 diabetes can be managed through diet, an active lifestyle and blood sugar monitoring.

Athletes who are diabetic

You may be surprised to learn that professional athletes and Olympians have managed their type of diabetes while leading successful sports careers.

Famous athletes with diabetes include:

• Jay Cutler: Former football quarterback with Type 1
• Billie Jean King: Former tennis player with Type 2
• Conor Daly: IndyCar driver with Type 1
• Lauren Cox: WNBA power forward with Type 1
• Muhammad Ali: Former professional boxer with Type 1
• Garry Hall Jr.: Former competitive swimmer with Type 1